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Chronic stress and anxiety can exacerbate this tension, which can result in headaches , stiff shoulders , neck pain and even migraines . People in a constant state of stress also are at a higher risk for chronic musculoskeletal disorders . After a while, chronic anxiety can have an effect on… Your heart. Anxiety and chronic stress sufferers are more at risk for cardiovascular problems due to a constant increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure and overexposure to cortisol. According to the American Psychological Association , long-term stress can also lead to hypertension, arrhythmias and an increased risk for heart attack or stroke. Your lungs. Studies have shown that there is a relationship between those who suffer from anxiety disorders and asthma. Source: How Anxiety Influences Your Health (INFOGRAPHIC)

Merryll Vorster testified for the defense and said that Pistorius has general anxiety disorder, a psychiatric condition that could make the athlete more likely to fight a threatening situation than flee it. Get the Latest News on the Oscar Pistorius Murder Trial But experts say Pistorius will have to undergo extensive testing to be diagnosed with the condition. Youre looking for things that would supercharge that nervous system and leave it more vulnerable, said George Everly, associate professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. You can have chronic exposure or traumatic event — either one works. Everly said some people with the disorder have a genetic history or have experienced traumatic events that make them hyper-sensitive to perceived threats. In severe cases, people can feel so afraid that they want to protect themselves in seemingly overzealous ways, he said, from installing extra security alarms to amassing weapons. Think of a lightning bolt going through electric currents [of the brain], he said. The result is a sensitization you get a sense of a person walking around, theyre hyper-sensitive to everything. More: Pistorius Trial Temporarily Halted Over Anxiety Diagnosis for Blade Runner – ABC News